Jul 24, 2018; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) and manager Aaron Boone (17) talk prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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Aaron Boone and Yankees ‘Heartbroken’ Over Brett Gardner’s 14-Year-Old Son’s Tragic Death

Miller Gardner, 14 years old, passed away in his sleep.

The New York Yankees and the baseball community are grieving alongside Brett Gardner and his family after the tragic passing of his youngest son, Miller Gardner. The 14-year-old died in his sleep on March 21 while on vacation with family, as announced in a statement from Gardner and his wife, Jessica, on Sunday.

Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner:

With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many… pic.twitter.com/lBCBVmKGUe
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 23, 2025

“With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news of our youngest son Miller’s passing,” the statement read. “He was 14 years old and left us far too soon after falling ill alongside several other family members. There are so many questions we don’t have answers to, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.”

The Yankees organization expressed profound sorrow, emphasizing the deep bond Gardner and his family shared with the team throughout his 14-year career in pinstripes.

“Miller was a beloved son and brother, and we cannot yet grasp a life without his infectious smile,” the Yankees’ statement read. “He had a passion for football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, and most of all, the people around him. His zest for life was undeniable.”

The team also highlighted the long-standing relationship between the Gardners and the Yankees, noting that while Brett spent nearly two decades in the organization, so too did his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Hunter and Miller.

“Words cannot adequately capture such an unimaginable loss. Miller had a spark in his eyes, a fearless personality, and a warm, loving nature. Our love and support for the Gardner family are unwavering, and we respect their request for privacy during this difficult time. May Miller rest in peace.”

A talented young athlete, Miller was featured in a highlight from last fall playing high school football in South Carolina, where he wore No. 11, the same number his father sported during his Yankees career.

Brett Gardner played his entire MLB career with the Yankees from 2008 to 2021, winning a World Series with the team in 2009. A respected leader in the clubhouse, he formed close relationships with teammates, including Aaron Judge, and remained connected to the organization even after stepping away from the game.

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“We’re heartbroken,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday. “We always talk about being a family, and even though Brett hasn’t been with the team for a few years, that bond never goes away.”

The thoughts of the Yankees and the broader baseball community remain with the Gardner family as they navigate this unimaginable loss.

Aaron Boone

Brett Gardner

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.